These Are the 22 Best Skincare Products for Mature Skin

Ageing is a natural, beautiful, and inevitable process, but when it comes to skincare advice, most of the tips and product recommendations for mature skin deal with how to prevent and erase signs of skin ageing, rather than simply how to take the best approach for maintaining healthy skin as we age.

Come your forties, you'll begin to see and feel changes to your skin—some of the most obvious being fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, looser skin, increased dryness, and dark spots caused by sun damage over the years. "As skin ages we see a reduction in skin cell turnover, a slowdown in collagen production, a decrease in sebum secretion, visible fine lines and wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes, developed nasolabial folds, and early signs of marionette lines at the outer edge of the lips," adds celebrity facialist Teresa Tarmey.

Nothing to stress about, and again, totally inevitable—but it can be useful to adapt your skincare routine to better fit the changing needs of your complexion. It's also important to note that everybody's skin ages differently and there are many and varied factors that impact skin ageing. "Your actual age may not match up with how old your skin looks," explains Tarmey. "Your lifestyle, stress, smoking, what you eat, sleep, pollution, and sun damage can all play a part in ageing your skin." In addition, genetics and hormones play a role in skin ageing, too. "Changes in hormones can lead to changes in skin beginning between the ages of 30 and 45," she adds. "And women's skin is usually thinner than men's, so it might show signs of ageing sooner."

best skincare for mature skin

(Image credit: @thatgracegirl)

Of course, when you're faced with hundreds of products claiming to prevent wrinkles and erase dark spots, finding the best skincare for mature skin can be tough—and overwhelming. So, from cult classic moisturisers to state-of-the-art serums and the latest innovations in skincare tech devices, we've researched and tested the best skincare products for mature skin available today.

Below, we've compiled a list of the products that really do work, so you can keep your skin healthy and happy through your forties and beyond.

The 21 Best Skincare Products for Mature Skin:

  1. The Best Cleanser for Mature Skin: Skin Rocks The Gel Cleanser
  2. The Best Toner for Mature Skin: Curel Deep Moisture Spray
  3. The Best Serum for Mature Skin: Teresa Tarmey Anti+ Serum
  4. The Best Moisturiser for Mature Skin: Dr. Loretta Anti-Aging Repair Moisturiser
  5. The Best Sunscreen for Mature Skin: Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF50
  6. The Best Face Mask for Mature Skin: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Overnight Treatment
  7. The Best Skincare Device for Mature Skin: Current Body Skin LED Light Therapy Mask Series 2

The Best Cleansers for Mature Skin

Cleansing is an essential part of any skincare routine at any age, but as skin matures and is more prone to dryness, it's important to look out for one that's effective, but gentle and non-stripping.

An oil-based cleanser or cleansing balm can be a great way to break down and remove heavy makeup or stubborn SPF without the need for scrubbing, while a gel cleanser can be used as a second cleanse to ensure all residue is removed. For those who don't wear makeup, a cream cleanser will suffice and can be used both morning and night.

The Best Toners for Mature Skin

Increasing hydration is of utmost importance as we age, and our skin no longer has the same ability to retain moisture. "When your skin is well-hydrated, it looks and feels smooth and soft," explains Tarmey. "This is because when the outer layer of the skin has enough moisture, it can get rid of toxins and provide nutrients to the skin cells. Hydrated skin is also less sensitive, and fine lines, wrinkles, and pores are less noticeable."

While many people would assume that moisturiser is where hydration begins and ends, it's important to start layering moisture into the skin as soon as possible to prevent dehydration. A toner can be a great way to give skin this initial boost of hydration, and by applying your serums and moisturiser to damp skin, you'll find they work even more effectively.

Other toners may be formulated with more active ingredients so can help to smooth and brighten skin, if rough texture, uneven tone, and dullness are amongst your concerns.

The Best Serums for Mature Skin

Thanks to their potent formulas and active ingredients, serums are able to deliver really transformative results when it comes to improving skin health and tackling stubborn concerns like wrinkles and dark spots. According to Tarmey, key ingredients to look out for include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, peptides, antioxidants, gentle AHAs, and retinoids.

The Best Moisturisers for Mature Skin

A good moisturiser serves to seal in the hydrating benefits of your toner and serum, while also softening and nourishing the outer layer of skin. Most people prefer to use a lighter formula in the daytime (they tend to layer well under makeup) and a thicker one for nighttime.

In addition, skin tends to become drier as we age, so those who have had typically oily skin through their twenties and thirties may feel the need to opt for richer, thicker formulas than they were previously used to.

The Best Sunscreens for Mature Skin

Perhaps the most essential and effective product in any skincare routine for mature skin is sunscreen. UV rays damage the collagen and elastin fibers that give skin its elasticity and tautness, which over time leads to fine lines, and looser, thinner skin, which creases and wrinkles more easily. In addition UV rays can also cause discolouration, burst blood vessels, and reduce the skin's immune function. It's for this reason that sunscreen is really the only skincare product that can actually lay claim to an ability to slow down signs of ageing.

The Best Face Masks for Mature Skin

White face masks are by no means an essential step in any skincare routine, they can be a welcome addition if you are dealing with a sudden or unexpected change in your skin. Plus, they're a great way to show you skin some extra TLC if it's in need of a moisture hit or brightening boost.

The Best Skincare Devices for Mature Skin

Alongside your daily skincare routine, regular facials are a great way to maintain skin health as we age. "My most popular treatment is called the Advanced Facial," says Tarmey. "We clean, including removing milia and using a gentle lactic acid to remove the dead skin. We then target pigmentation and brown capillaries with lasers, followed by a very gentle microneedling to deliver vitamins and boost the collagen. Last but not least, all of our facials end with an LED, which helps to calm, brighten and heal the skin."

For those who wish to elevate their home skincare routine, Tarmey considers LED to be a worthy addition. "LED light therapy, especially red and near-infrared wavelengths, has been proven to stimulate fibroblast activity, leading to increased collagen synthesis," she explains. "By boosting collagen production, LED light therapy aids in restoring skin firmness and elasticity, thereby reducing the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles."

Freelance Beauty Editor

Grace Day is a beauty editor and content creator. She has over 10 years of beauty-industry experience, spanning editorial, retail, and e-commerce, which gives her a unique understanding into how people shop for their beauty routines. While studying for a history degree (specialising in the history of beauty) and working as a beauty adviser in department stores, Grace started writing her own beauty blog in order to share the products she discovered while dealing with acne. After graduating, she moved to Beauty Bay as beauty editor and content manager. Grace is currently a beauty contributor to Who What Wear. She has also written for Hypebae and PopSugar and works as a brand consultant and copywriter.